Throughout his 40+ years' career, Vancouver-based Funeral Home Owner and Director Scott McFarlane noticed an unsettling trend in the industry–a focus on profits that often came at the expense of already burdened families.
Increasingly, he saw the industry moving away from the core values of funeral service, which prompted him to start something new. In 2008, Scott founded Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services, an award-winning funeral home and cremation care company with a mission to support families through one of life’s most difficult moments, without adding to their stress.
Compassion without complexity
Located in Vancouver, Amherst is an independent, locally owned funeral home that’s quietly shifting the conversation around end-of-life care. Their approach is built not on formality or pressure, but on kindness, clarity and the belief that dignity shouldn’t come with a premium price tag.
While some funeral providers push add-ons and overwhelm families with decisions, Amherst focuses on simplicity and transparency. Their cremation and burial packages include everything needed to honour a loved one with grace and respect, without hidden fees or surprise costs. It’s a model that has earned them not just awards but deep trust from families across the Lower Mainland. Their services range from direct cremation to traditional funeral and burial, as well as memorial and future prepaid preplanning, always delivered with calm professionalism and genuine care.
Whether clients want a quiet farewell, a celebration of life or something in between, Amherst provides the flexibility to support every kind of goodbye.
A meaningful goodbye, not a financial setback
Affordability isn’t just a talking point; it’s central to Amherst’s core services. Their packages are among the most affordable in the industry, allowing families to focus on grieving and celebrating a life well lived, not worrying about unexpected costs. With simple cremation packages starting at under $1,300, Amherst has become a trusted resource for those seeking dignity without debt.
For those planning ahead, they also offer pre-arrangement services, which provide peace of mind today for whatever may happen in the future. You can view the exact cost of each of their services and packages here.
Quietly raising the bar
Free from the limitations of larger corporate funeral chains, Amherst tailors each service to the family’s needs, culture and budget. Their Vancouver-based team brings decades of experience in funeral and cremation care and handles all logistics with licensed staff, ensuring every detail is managed with integrity and compassion.
In a space where compassion and affordability are in short supply, Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services offers something refreshingly different. It’s not just about funeral planning—it’s about empowering families to say goodbye in a way that feels honest, personal and manageable. When the time comes, knowing you have someone who cares – truly cares – makes all the difference.
To explore pre-arrangement options, receive immediate support or speak directly with their Vancouver-based team, please visit amherstcremation.com
